Rowena Merkel | Mathematics | Young Scientist Award

Mrs. Rowena Merkel | Mathematics | Young Scientist Award

University of Education Freiburg | Germany

Rowena Merkel, M.Ed., is an emerging scholar and Ph.D. candidate at the Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg, Germany, specializing in mathematics didactics and cognitive learning research. Her academic journey reflects strong interdisciplinary training, having earned a Master of Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Spanish from the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Currently pursuing her doctoral research in Psychology and Mathematics Didactics, Rowena focuses on understanding how digital modeling tools can foster effective cognitive learning processes in developing students’ conceptual understanding of fractions. She has served as an Academic Associate at the Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg, where she contributed to advancing digital pedagogical innovations and teaching methodologies. Her research interests span mathematics education, cognitive engagement, digital learning environments, and instructional design in STEM education. Rowena’s recent publication, Learning Activities in a Dynamic Learning Environment to Foster a Basic Fraction Concept (International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 2025 cited by 7 articles*), exemplifies her contributions to developing research-based digital tools for mathematics instruction. Her academic achievements demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based education, blending theory and practice to enhance cognitive development through technology-enhanced learning. Through her innovative approach, Rowena Merkel aims to bridge psychology and pedagogy, making complex mathematical concepts accessible to diverse learners. Her work holds promise for shaping the future of mathematics education, positioning her as a dynamic and deserving nominee for the Young Scientist Award.

Profile: ORCID | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Merkel, R., Leuders, T., Reinhold, F., & Loibl, K. (2025). Learning activities in a dynamic learning environment to foster a basic fraction concept. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-025-10602-6

Prasanta Chatterjee | Mathematics | Best Faculty Award

Prof. Prasanta Chatterjee | Mathematics | Best Faculty Award

Prof. Prasanta Chatterjee is a distinguished Professor of Mathematics at Visva-Bharati University, India, specializing in Applied Mathematics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Plasma Physics, and Differential Equations. With over 217 research papers4302 citations, and an h-index of 37, he is a leading researcher in mathematical physics. He has authored 7 textbooks2 poetry books, and popular science articles, blending academia with creative expression.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  1. Academic and Professional Excellence:

    • Over 25 years of dedicated service at Visva-Bharati, progressing from Lecturer to Professor.

    • Held key academic positions, including Head of Department and Professor-in-Charge, Centre for Mathematics Education, showing leadership and administrative capabilities.

  2. Outstanding Research Output:

    • 217 journal publications, with a strong citation record (H-index: 37, i10-index: 122, 4302 citations) indicating sustained and impactful contributions.

    • Successfully completed major funded research projects totaling over ₹2 crore, including cutting-edge studies in nonlinear and computational mathematics and plasma physics.

    • International collaborations through postdoctoral and visiting scientist positions in South Korea, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.

  3. Diverse Scholarly Contributions:

    • Authored 7 textbooks in advanced mathematics and plasma physics, contributing significantly to both undergraduate and postgraduate education.

    • Wrote popular science articles in national magazines and even published poetry books, showcasing his outreach beyond conventional academic boundaries.

    • Active participation in international conferences, contributing to global academic discourse.

  4. Subject Expertise and Innovation:

    • Recognized authority in nonlinear dynamics, applied mathematics, and plasma physics—areas central to modern physical sciences and engineering applications.

    • Demonstrated innovation in modeling, wave interaction studies, and chaos theory.

Education 🎓

  • B.Sc. (1988) – Bankura Christian College, Burdwan University
  • M.Sc. (1991) – IIT Kharagpur
  • Ph.D. (1996) – ISI Kolkata & Jadavpur University

Experience 💼

  • Professor (2009–Present), Head of Department (2015–2017), Visva-Bharati
  • Associate Professor (2006–2008), Reader (2002–2005), Visva-Bharati
  • Scientist B, DRDO, Pune (1995–1997)
  • Visiting Scientist at POSTECH (South Korea), University of Malaya (Malaysia), and East West University (Bangladesh).

Research Interests On Mathematics 🔍

  • Nonlinear Waves & Solitons in Plasma Physics
  • Quantum & Dusty Plasmas
  • Chaos Synchronization
  • Mathematical Modeling in Astrophysics & Biology

Awards & Honors

  • Visiting Scientist Fellowships (South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh)
  • Coordinator of major research projects (e.g., Nonlinear and Computational Mathematics, ₹1.39 Crore grant).

Publications 📜

1. Title: Bifurcations of dust ion acoustic travelling waves in a magnetized dusty plasma with a q-nonextensive electron velocity distribution
Authors: U Kumar Samanta, A Saha, P Chatterjee
Year: 2013
Citations: 141

2. Title: Head-on collision of ion acoustic solitary waves in an electron-positron-ion plasma with superthermal electrons
Authors: P Chatterjee, K Roy, SV Muniandy, CS Wong, B Sahu
Year: 2010
Citations: 141

3. Title: Ion-acoustic shocks in quantum electron-positron-ion plasmas
Authors: K Roy, AP Misra, P Chatterjee
Year: 2008
Citations: 127

4. Title: Bifurcations of nonlinear ion acoustic travelling waves in the frame of a Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation in magnetized plasma with a kappa distributed electron
Authors: U Kumar Samanta, A Saha, P Chatterjee
Year: 2013
Citations: 99

5. Title: The effect of q-distributed electrons on the head-on collision of ion acoustic solitary waves
Authors: UN Ghosh, P Chatterjee, R Roychoudhury
Year: 2012
Citations: 91

6. Title: Solitonic, periodic, quasiperiodic and chaotic structures of dust ion acoustic waves in nonextensive dusty plasmas
Authors: A Saha, P Chatterjee
Year: 2015
Citations: 86

7. Title: Dynamic behavior of ion acoustic waves in electron-positron-ion magnetoplasmas with superthermal electrons and positrons
Authors: A Saha, N Pal, P Chatterjee
Year: 2014
Citations: 83

8. Title: Head-on collision of dust acoustic solitary waves in a four-component dusty plasma with nonthermal ions
Authors: UN Ghosh, K Roy, P Chatterjee
Year: 2011
Citations: 73

9. Title: Dust ion acoustic travelling waves in the framework of a modified Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation in a magnetized dusty plasma with superthermal electrons
Authors: A Saha, P Chatterjee
Year: 2014
Citations: 70

10. Title: Analytical electron acoustic solitary wave solution for the forced KdV equation in superthermal plasmas
Authors: R Ali, A Saha, P Chatterjee
Year: 2017
Citations: 66

Conclusion 🌟

Prof. Chatterjee’s interdisciplinary work bridges mathematics, physics, and education. His contributions to nonlinear wave theory and plasma dynamics are internationally recognized, while his textbooks and outreach efforts inspire future scientists. A true polymath, he also excels in poetry and science communication.